I wanted a fuller, more realistic Christmas garland for our mantel, but it still had to work around the TV. That meant it had to be simple enough to fit into the small space in between, not damage the mantel in any way, but have enough fluff and drama (lol) to draw attention away from the TV. What’s a girl to do? Well, I came up with this easy 3-step tutorial – that you can use as is, or build on to. How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps.
To see this garland used in different ways click:
- Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step)
- How to Swag Christmas Garland: 2 Mantel Ideas
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How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps
Supplies:
- (2) 6 FT Garland with Pinecones & Eucalyptus
- (3) 6 FT Garland with Icy Juniper
- Floral Wire & Needle Nose Pliers
Decorating Supplies (optional):
- (2) Natural Wooden Bead Garland
- (4) White Stockings/Packing Tape
- (2) Light Up Cone Trees
- (2) Gold Candle Lanterns – similar here
- (2) LED Candles
- (2) Flocked Burlap Trees
Couple of things to Note:
- If you want longer garland: I would get (3) 6 FT Pinecone garland and (5) 6 FT Icy Juniper garland.
- You can also use this Christmas garland as a base foundation each year, and simply change out the colors and accessories.
- And please feel free to tweak the items with whatever you have on hand. I love to shop my Christmas “closet” first too!
Ok, let’s get to it! How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps.
How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps
Before Pictures
Here is what I usually start with each year for our Christmas garland.
- It is one 6 FT green cedar garland + 2 picks (that go on each end to fill it out).
- I thought it would be good to show you just in case you wanted to see how to fill out a “short” garland.
Adding the picks to each side.
And this what I usually end up with before decorating each year, (or something similar).
- Click here to see how the garland looks in our Christmas Home Tour 2021.
- But now, I wanted a change!
Here is also a pic of our old garland vs. the new garland.
- You can tell that there is a change in color and style – to give it that fresh, more realistic look.
So, let’s get to it! How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps.
How to Combine Christmas Garland: 3 Easy Steps
3 Easy Steps
- Step #1: Connect (2) 6 FT Pinecone Garland Strands Together
- Step #2: Combine (3) 6 FT Icy Juniper & (2) FT Pinecone Garland Strands Together
- Step #3: Add Garland to Mantel
Let’s get to the 3 easy steps.
Step #1: Connect (2) 6 FT Pinecone Garland Strands Together
For this first step you will simply connect your 2 pinecone garland strands together.
I turned mine to face “away” from each other – so that the greenery and leaves would face down to the floor on both sides of the mantel.
Then simply connect the ends with your floral wire – making for sure that they are secure – trust me.
- You do not want to get them onto your mantel, and then they pull apart!
Step #2: Combine (3) 6 FT Icy Juniper & (2) FT Pinecone Garland Strands Together
Now, you will take your 3 icy juniper garland strands and wrap/weave them around the 2 pinecone garland strands (from step 1).
I just wanted to show you how I started the icy juniper because it will take a little time to figure out where you need it to fill in the gaps.
- I left a little of the icy juniper strand hang lower than the pinecone garland because there are 3 of them and you will have extra length.
Icy juniper garland 3 x 6ft= 18ft vs pinecone garland 2 x 6ft = 12ft.
This extra strand helps to make it look fuller, and stretch all the way to the ends.
You will simply take the icy juniper strand and just wrap/weave it on top of the pinecone garland, an then below it.
- Make for sure that the icy juniper garland leaves are going in the same direction as your pinecone garland.
Once you get the 3 icy juniper strands in the right spots, go ahead and secure the ends together (where they connect in the middle) with floral wire.
Then wrap the “ends” together with the pinecone garland but don’t connect them with wire yet.
- This is where they will fall towards the floor.
And this is probably the step where you will be saying some “not so nice words” about me – LOL!!
- This icy juniper garland leaves a mess, plus if you kneel on some of the “faux ice crystals,” it doesn’t feel too good!
So, just grab a broom, a glass of wine, and move on to the next step!! Haha!
Step 3: Add Garland to Mantel
Now it’s time to add your garland (one long piece) to the mantel.
Simply place the garland onto your mantel, and center it using the 2 pinecones (that were facing away from each other) as the guide.
Once you figure out where you might need a little fluff or filler from the icy juniper leaves, you can secures the ends with wire
You can see how the icy crystal garland peeks out through the natural pinecone garland to make it look real.
You Are Done!!
Add your favorite accessories to each side of the mantel, and a couple of items to the hearth area to complete the look!
Before & After Pictures
Before Front View (w/old garland)
After Front View (w/new garland)
After Front View (w/new garland & decorated)
Before Side View (w/old garland)
After Side View (w/new garland)
After Side View (w/new garland & decorated)
Remember how I said you could add on to this look?
If you like this vignette, but want a little more drama LOL:
- Click here – Decorating a Christmas Mantel Around a TV (Step-By-Step) – to see what “extras” I added.
Have a Very Merry Christmas!!
Love & Hugs!!
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